Dad throttled wife, child in rage over trivial quarrels, Hong Kong court hears
South China Morning Post
by Fiona ChowFebruary 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A senior assistant at Hong Kong’s Immigration Department has admitted to multiple instances of common assault against his wife and five-year-old son over trivial disputes. The defendant, identified only as ATK in court documents, pleaded guilty to six charges of common assault, including three incidents involving his wife between 2021 and 2024 and three separate assaults on his son between 2023 and 2025. These attacks occurred at their home in Kwun Tong, Kowloon, and included an incident where the defendant lost control upon seeing his son still watching television past 11pm on Christmas Day. Magistrate Arthur Lam Hei-wei questioned why the defendant was so angered, noting the lack of apparent justification for his actions.
The case highlights the severity of domestic violence cases in Hong Kong, particularly when involving law enforcement or public sector employees. The defendant, a senior assistant at the Immigration Department, was suspended following the prosecution. His pleaded guilty to charges that occurred over a span of nearly four years, with assaults ranging from 2021 to as late as 2025. Court documents reveal that the attacks were often triggered by minor disputes, underscoring how even trivial disagreements can escalate into violent outbursts.
This case is significant for global readers interested in domestic violence trends and legal responses to such incidents. It raises questions about the societal attitudes toward family conflicts and the need for stronger preventive measures. Additionally, it sheds light on Hong Kong’s judicial system and its handling of cases involving public sector employees accused of violence against their families. The outcome could set a precedent for how similar cases are addressed in the future.
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Originally published on South China Morning Post on 2/23/2026